Hockey Collectors Starting to Call Bedard a Bust

A 19-year-old with 85 points in 97 career games in the best hockey league in the world is being called a bust.

Tough crowd.

Connor Bedard's expectations were unrealistic since the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Comparisons to Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid rolled in before Bedard signed his rookie contract with the Blackhawks.

Bedard owned the Western Hockey League with 243 points in 119 games. That is where Bedard's initial hype came from.

Sports card retail giant, Dave and Adam's, poured gasoline on the fire by offering a $1 million bounty to the lucky person who pulls Bedard's Young Guns Gold Outburst one-of-one from 2023-24 Upper Deck Hockey Series Two. That bounty has not been claimed as of writing.

Who Thinks Bedard is a Bust?

Hockey card collectors have watched Bedard's cards tank since the 2024-25 season started as Upper Deck continues to churn out new products.

Bedard's PSA 10 base Young Gun has dropped 10.3% over the last 30-days. This a small change considering his PSA 10 Young Guns rookie card once traded for over $2,000.

It makes sense why hockey card collectors are frustrated and starting to call Bedard a bust.

The frustration continues due to the high prices of 2023-24 hockey products featuring Bedard. Upper Deck 2023-24 Series Two Hockey Hobby retails for $229 USD per box. Approximately one out of every nine Upper Deck 2023-24 Series Two Hobby boxes contains a Bedard Young Guns.

Bedard's ungraded Young Guns are currently trading for an average of $225 on eBay, and that's before eBay's commission is factored.

Think about it. You just went to your local card shop and spent $229 of your hard earned money on a box of Upper Deck Series Two Hobby for $229. As you fanned through your fourth pack, there is the Bedard Young Guns you have been searching for!

Congratulations! You just pulled the biggest Young Gun of the set and broke even. Seems kind of deflating, eh?

It is starting to make sense why hockey collectors are calling Bedard a bust.

Sports Cards are Currency

Here is how it goes for some hockey collectors. They buy a box from their local card shop or participate in a group break. A few days later, they try and sell their cards to buy more boxes or spots in more breaks.

It is a cycle that never stops.

The issue is the price of boxes and spots in breaks are expensive. The cards being pulled are worth a fraction of the cost of the box or break spot. Sure, some are fortunate to find a lucky card worth greater than the price of the box or break spot.

Bedard is the biggest draw in the hockey community and his card values are substantially down over the last six months.

Reality Check

Bedard is not a bust, not in real-life at least. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft will likely go on to have a spectacular career.

Hockey card collectors, especially those sitting on a massive Bedard collection, are living in a different reality. Their reality is like being stuck in a stock that continues to tank.

Do you hold, hedge, or cut your losses?

It seems that hockey collectors are beginning to cut their losses on Bedard, based on the recent sales of his hockey cards.

Happy hunting and collecting!